The Rat in 2017: Your Chinese Horoscope. Neil Somerville
Harvey Bean, Chinese Astrologics (Publications Division, South China Morning Post Ltd, 1981); Ruth Q. Sun, The Asian Animal Zodiac (Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1996); Derek Walters, Ming Shu (Pagoda Books, 1987) and The Chinese Astrology Workbook (The Aquarian Press, 1988); Suzanne White, The New Astrology (Pan, 1987), The New Chinese Astrology (Pan, 1994) and Chinese Astrology Plain and Simple (Eden Grove Editions, 1998).
In addition, I would like to record my thanks to all at HarperCollins who have helped with the editing, production and promotion of Your Chinese Horoscope over the years, as well as to thank my current editor, Carolyn Thorne, for her input and my copy editor, Lizzie Henry, for her wonderful work over so many years.
Introduction to Your Chinese Horoscope 2017
The origins of Chinese horoscopes have been lost in the mists of time. It is known, however, that oriental astrologers practised their art many thousands of years ago and even today Chinese astrology continues to fascinate and intrigue.
In Chinese astrology there are 12 signs named after 12 different animals. No one quite knows how the signs acquired their names, but there is one legend that offers an explanation. According to this legend, one Chinese New Year the Buddha invited all the animals in his kingdom to come before him. Unfortunately, for reasons best known to the animals, only 12 turned up. The first to arrive was the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and finally Pig. In gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of the animals and that those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal. Therefore those born in the year of the Ox would be hardworking, resolute and stubborn, just like the Ox, while those born in the year of the Dog would be loyal and faithful, just like the Dog. While it is not possible that everyone born in a particular year can have all the characteristics of the sign, it is incredible what similarities do occur, and this is partly where the fascination of Chinese horoscopes lies.
In addition to the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac there are five elements and these have a strengthening or moderating influence upon the signs. Details about the effects of the elements are given in each of the chapters on the signs.
To find out which sign you were born under, refer to the tables on the following pages. As the Chinese year is based on the lunar year and does not start until late January or early February, it is particularly important for anyone born in those two months to check carefully the dates of the Chinese year in which they were born.
Also included, in the appendix, are two charts showing the compatibility between the signs for personal and business relationships and details about the signs ruling the different hours of the day. From this it is possible to locate your ascendant and, as in Western astrology, this has a significant influence on your personality.
In writing this book I have taken the unusual step of combining the intriguing nature of Chinese horoscopes with the Western desire to know what the future holds, and have based my interpretations upon various factors relating to each of the signs. Over the years in which Your Chinese Horoscope has been published I have been pleased that so many have found the sections on the forthcoming year of interest and hope that the horoscope has been constructive and useful. Remember, though, that at all times you are master of your own destiny. I sincerely hope that Your Chinese Horoscope 2017 will prove interesting and helpful for the year ahead.
This edition also marks the thirtieth year of publication and a personal milestone for me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have bought this and other books in the series. Indeed, some, I know, have read Your Chinese Horoscope for many years. I am grateful to you all for your support and interest. However, with deep regret I have decided that this will be the last annual book in the series. Instead, I will turn my attention to a new volume and hope to share with you and many others special insights on Chinese horoscopes, including ways of making the best of your sign and a horoscope for each and every year. I hope such a volume, entitled Your Chinese Horoscope for Each and Every Year, will be of value and lasting interest.
But for the moment, the Year of the Rooster is one rewarding effort and commitment and I hope it rewards you well.
Horse 11 February 1918 to 31 January 1919
Goat 1 February 1919 to 19 February 1920
Monkey 20 February 1920 to 7 February 1921
Rooster 8 February 1921 to 27 January 1922
Dog 28 January 1922 to 15 February 1923
Pig 16 February 1923 to 4 February 1924
Rat 5 February 1924 to 23 January 1925
Ox 24 January 1925 to 12 February 1926
Tiger 13 February 1926 to 1 February 1927
Rabbit 2 February 1927 to 22 January 1928
Dragon 23 January 1928 to 9 February 1929
Snake 10 February 1929 to 29 January 1930
Horse 30 January 1930 to 16 February 1931
Goat 17 February 1931 to 5 February 1932
Monkey 6 February 1932 to 25 January 1933
Rooster 26 January 1933 to 13 February 1934
Dog 14 February 1934 to 3 February 1935
Pig 4 February 1935 to 23 January 1936
Rat 24 January 1936 to 10 February 1937
Ox 11 February 1937 to 30 January 1938
Tiger 31 January 1938 to 18 February 1939
Rabbit 19 February 1939 to 7 February 1940
Dragon 8 February 1940 to 26 January 1941
Snake 27 January 1941 to 14 February 1942
Horse 15 February 1942 to 4 February 1943
Goat 5 February 1943 to 24 January 1944
Monkey 25 January 1944 to 12 February 1945
Rooster 13 February 1945 to 1 February 1946
Dog 2 February 1946 to 21 January 1947
Pig 22 January 1947 to 9 February 1948
Rat 10 February 1948 to 28 January 1949
Ox 29 January 1949 to 16 February 1950
Tiger 17 February 1950 to 5 February 1951
Rabbit 6 February 1951 to 26 January 1952
Dragon 27 January 1952 to 13 February 1953
Snake 14 February 1953 to 2 February 1954
Horse 3 February 1954 to 23 January 1955
Goat 24 January 1955 to 11 February 1956
Monkey 12 February 1956 to 30 January 1957
Rooster 31 January 1957 to 17 February 1958
Dog 18 February 1958 to 7 February 1959
Pig 8 February 1959 to 27 January 1960
Rat